hey. I am traveling from UK to Rio in December and got a return flight 6 months later from Buenos Aires. I have no real plans for the 6 months other than meet lots of people, see lots of sights and beaches,experience different cultures and have lots of fun. I am a 26 year old female from scotland traveling on my own. I am very excited about my trip but kinda worried in a way about safety etc. Has anyone any advice for me? I also was thinking of getting Portuguese lessons the first week I arrive in Rio. Can anyone recommend a school to go to? I have a tight budget so the cheaper the better. Also, if anyone else is doing a similar trip and would like to meet up then that would be ace! Thanks in advance….. :o)

Hey honey, I was travelling in South America this year and spent three months in Brasil.I'm 20 and female and travelled alone.

I did a week at school in a small city in the NE called Maceio and learnt the basic grammar, Portuguese is a beautiful language especially Brasillian! But I would rccomend longer to learn it if your serious as much as you pick up I was well on the way by the time I left but still having a few difficulties!

I hope you have an amazing time where else in Brasil are you planning on going? can I reccomend you some places???

Hi, thanks for your reply. Yeah, i am kinda hoping that i'll pick up the language but thought a week course would give me a head start - and help me survive! i've been doing some at home using a linguaphone cd but its so hard to take it all in. I cant really afford to spend too much money on a long course either. My plan is to get to rio and then travel down the coast towards the south, then to iguazu falls.... i would love to go up the coast to the north too but i am thinking of going to argentina after the south as it makes sense. then travel around argentina - i am flying back from buenos aires in June 05. I would love some recommendations of places to go! Cheers, Meg

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Posted bycsfreixo(Full Member 83 posts) 14y
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Hey Meg!I'm brazilian and I think I can give u a hand. First of all: are u planning to learning portuguese in a week? I dont think its gonna be worthwhile... if u make new friends here, they can teach you the portuguese basics on a daily life. Of course u got be outgoing. Some english schools here host english speakers and maybe they have special portuguese classes... Besides this, the coast in the south after Rio is not that beautifull! After leaving Rio (City of Rio), u can visit Ilha Grande - Angra dos Reis (State of Rio - great place!). In Sao Paulo you have the famous Caves in the PETAR.. it deserves a visit. Going to south, you should visit Florianópolis and surroundings. But the general scene is much similar to Rio.As you are coming to Brazil, I suggest some unforgetable places (search on the WWW for datails): "Bonito - MS", "Fernando de Noronha - PE", "Lençóis, Morro de Sao Paulo and Salvador - BA". Internal flights are not that expensive, specially with the new low-fare companies "GOL", "BRA" and "Varig" as well.Try to enjoy the summer points in Brazil (Rio, Northeast states) and Winter points in Argentina... (Las Leñas, Bariloche, etc).Its gonna be incredible.Regards,Cassiano Freixo

5.
Posted byRach-a(Respected Member 368 posts) 14y
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Hey Meg, those sites I gave should give some info. on safety. I know to stay away from the beach at night, also to stay away from 'favelas' (shanty towns) unless with a guide. Hey mim, how was your time in Brazil, did you do the Amazon You'll have to post me with the details Also thanx Cassiano for those places pointed out - will have to check them out

Thanks for all your advice. Perhaps i would be better meeting some portuguese people and learning from them.. Are people really friendly and willing to teach and hang out and go to clubs etc?? I am really keen to meet the locals. I'll check out those places you recommend too - thanks for that! Where are you from in brazil?

Meg

7.
Posted byjosehelu(Budding Member 2 posts) 14y
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Hi my name is Jose Helu,I live and work here in Rio de Janeiro and I am sure you'll have good times here!Try to visit different places than touristic areas too.Sometimes we have some band shows around Copacabana area for free and there are some happy hour places here where you can enjoy for free!If you wish a place to stay and saving money at the same time,I can you help you out! See you! Jose Helu PS:Pease use my personal e-mail to reply me if you wish,because I don't visit this page every day!-snip, use message center-

[ Edit: sorry, no emails please. spam harvesters love them ]

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Posted bymcgoku(Full Member 18 posts) 14y
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HI

I traveled Brazil for a month last year, it was awesome.If you want to learn Portuguese before you go check out the audio lessons called Pimsleur. They have helped me alot.

As for Brazil you just have to becareful as you would in any large city. Some places that are smaller that are just beautiful, try Gautapare and Villa Valha(sp? in english it means old village). They are north of Rio along estado do sol (the sun road). It is basically a highway that runs along the cost with a lot of small friendly towns along the way

The place where alot of tourists go is Baire. I did not go but I hear it has the best beaches.

Have fun Matt

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Posted bythowra(Full Member 74 posts) 14y
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Hi!

I spent a few months travelling round Brasil and Argentina on my own last year. It was awesome fun and I enjoyed it immensly. My recommendation is that you visit Rio and its surroundings (you can take trips to the islands, the tropical jungle etc), visit Iguazu falls (not to be missed under any account) and then maybe you will want to see places like Florianapolis. There are a couple of good whale watching places in that area and the beaches are fantastic! If you have the time a trip to the Pantanal is well worth the visit and many companies organise 3-5 day tours of the area.

If you are travelling down to Argentina, cross over from Iguazu. Places to see? The north of argentina has famous jesuit missions that are worth a visit, in the state of Misiones. Both Salta (take the bus and not the train, the bus is not as flashy, a lot more cheaper, and will also take you up to the salt lakes past the top station of the tren de las nubes. It is an awesome ride!) and The state of Tucuman in the north west are worth a visit. I also recommend a trip to Mendoza, from where you can go up into the highest part of the Andes, right on the chilean border, and see Aconcagua, the highest mountain on the continent.

As for safety, the rules are simple and easy to follow: Never wear any metal jewlery, never walk around with any expensive looking equipment visible (keep cameras discretely hidden away on you) and never flash money around. If you don't look rich and loaded no one should harm you.

If you want any more info just let me know, or PM me. You can also read about some of the places above in more detail on my travel site. Hope it all goes well!

Hey, thanks both Matt and Thowra for your tips - really appreciated. I am so excited, i cant concentrate on work or anything!! still 7 weeks to go!! I'm definitely going to see the iguazu falls - and that estado do sol sounds amazing...i'll see if i can round up some people to do that with.

It sounds like i have got loads of options to see and do. i cant wait!! About the Pantanal - does anyone know of any cheap tours or tour companies i could book with before i go or is it best to sort it out over there??